The Life+IBERLINCE project visits Life+PINZÓN

Both projects shared experiences on the reintroduction of their respective species

The Gran Canaria blue finch Fringilla polatzeki is an endemic species of this island catalogued by the IUCN as being in danger of extinction, like the Iberian lynx. The similarities between the feline and this endemic bird are large, since the two species inhabit a reduced area and display very low population numbers.

The Life+PINZÓN project started in 2015, and its main goal was to create a second stable population in the Pico de Las Nieves summit pine forest, in addition to the one in existence in the Inagua pine forests. The latest census estimates that the Gran Canaria blue finch population size in 2016 was of about 315 individuals. As with the Iberian lynx, the creation of the new population is being carried out through the combined release of translocated wild specimens and specimens bred at the Gran Canaria City Hall captive breeding centre.

The annual releases taking place since 2014 were carried out on September 12th and 13th in the La Cumbre reintroduction area. This year, 15 wild specimens were translocated and set free through "hard release", and an additional nine from the captive breeding program were set free through "soft release".

A Life+IBERLINCE project specialist, expert in wild passerine management, was present for the capture, tagging, translocation and release of the specimens. As the operation developed, the accumulated experiences of years dealing with both species were shared, and many similarities were found in both projects regarding ecology and conservation issues. This has been a very enriching experience for the Iberlince project; we are thankful for having shared it with the Life+PINZÓN project, and wish that the Gran Canaria blue finch conservation keeps its current course, consolidating the new population and creating new nuclei in the future.